WET TOWEL FEEDERAND BELT FORTHE SAME

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a wet towel feeder and a belt for the same, and in more particular, to a wet towel feeder and a belt for the same, which can supply a disposable wet towel offhand, which can be formed by cutting a fabric wound in a roll shape into a given length while it is transported, and allowing the cut fabric to absorb water.

Background Art

[2] In this regard, along with the spread of the disposable wet towel which emphasizes sanitation, the wet towel feeder has been developed and supplied in various forms to use the wet towel conveniently in a restaurant, a past-food restaurant, an office, and the like, so that the wet towel can be prepared offhand and can be used, if necessary.

[3] The Korean Utility Model Laid open Publication No. 20-0172911 has suggested an apparatus for manufacturing a wet towel. The apparatus comprises a towel roller on which a towel is rolled; a press roller and a press plate for supporting the same, by means of which the towel unrolled from the towel roller is pressed; a main roller formed into a cylindrical shape thereof for transporting the towel and having a rubber ring mounted on the circumferential surface of the main roller; an auxiliary roller formed to be extended correspondingly from the circumferential surface of the main roller in such a manner as to be in gearing relationship with the rubber ring; a towel guiding member in which the auxiliary roller is in contact with the circumferential surface of the main roller due to the restoration force of a spring, and then the towel between the auxiliary roller and the main roller is safely transported; a first cutter blade shaft coaxially coupled to a rotation gear for rotating the first cutter blade and having a first cutter blade thereto; a second cutter blade interacting with the first cutter blade so that it can cut the towel which is transferred every time when the first cutter blade makes one turn; a main motor connected to the rotation gear of the first cutter blade so as to rotate the first cutter blade shaft and for rotating the main roller to which driving power is transmitted by means of the rotation gear of the first cutter blade; a spraying member for spraying water to the cut towel, to thereby produce a wet towel; a conveyer belt and a conveyer belt driving shaft for transportation of the wet towel by means of the driving power transmitted from a conveyer motor; and a projecting plate attached to the inner surface of a tension maintaining member for the conveyer belt and for permitting the wet towel to be rolled up.

[4] Such wet towel feeder is expected to be effective in that the wet towel is man-

ufactured such that it can be safely transported without being jammed in the apparatus and be rolled up by means of a simple structure thereof, to thereby supply the wet towel which is automatically sterilized.

[5] Meanwhile, the Korean Utility Model Publication No.2000-0000095 has suggested a drum type wet towel apparatus having a main body for installing separate components of the apparatus therein, in which a sheet material is cut to a predetermined length and rolled up. The apparatus comprises a drum installed on a shaft formed on the center portion of a supporting plate, which is fixedly mounted on the main body, in such a manner that the drum is freely rotated and having a rubber roller with a plurality of frictional projections thereon mounted to the entire outer surface of the drum; a driven gear mounted on one side of the drum for receiving the driving force from a driving means; a fixed friction pad mounted so as to cover about three fourth of the outer periphery surface area of the drum and having a plurality of projections formed into a rod and a rectangular shapes for generating friction; a playing plate elastically mounted to the end portion of the fixed friction pad; and a tension adjustment member mounted to the fixed friction pad so as to adjust the interval between the rubber roller and the fixed friction pad and so as to vary the rolled-up shape of the wet towel.

[6] Such wet towel feeder is expected to be effective in that the rolled-up method of a wet towel is transformed a single-drum type with rubber roller into two-drum type with conveyer belt, so that it can obtain costs reduction, noise reduction, and loads reduction as well as manufacture the wet towel to be rolled-up with accuracy.

[7] Meanwhile, the Korean Utility Model Registration No.0422303 has suggested a hand wash towel manufacturing apparatus. The apparatus comprises a fabric roll fixing member; a carrier roller for conveying the fabric wound on the fabric roll fixing member; a conveyer device for spraying moisture to the fabric conveyed by the carrier roller, tearing off the fabric along a perforated line thereon, rolling-up the fabric in a rolled shape, and then discharging it; a water supplying device for supplying water to the conveyer device; a controlling member for controlling the operation of the components of the apparatus. The conveyer device comprises a driving roller and a driven roller, which are disposed in a line in such a manner as to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance therebetween; a conveyer belt loaded simultaneously on the driving roller and the driven roller; a water supplying member disposed at the upper of the conveyer belt; an embossing pad for permitting an end of the fabric conveyed by the conveyer belt to be rolled-up; a tension pad for tearing the fabric along a perforated line by pressing the fabric, which is rolled up by the embossing pad, so as to generate tension; and a discharging plate for guiding and charging the fabric which is cut and rolled up by the tension pad.

[8] Such wet towel feeder is expected to be effective in that when the fabric is not supplied normally, a warning signal, which enables to take necessary procedure, is outputted from the wet towel feeder, in that the fabric is uniformly dampened with moisture, and in that since the conveyer belt and a conveyer pad of the conveyer device is configured not to be subjected to friction therebetween, so that the pad cannot be easily worn, which is not leading to frequent replacement of the pad. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[9] As described above, the conventional wet towel feeder is featured that a fabric is cut, and is dampened with moisture, and finally is formed in a rolled shape and the like, while it is transported, so that it makes it possible for people to conveniently use wet towels such as in a restaurant and the like.

[10] However, according to the conventional wet towel feeder, problem occurred that the shape of the wet towel is disturbed during the final procedure in the formation of the wet towel shape. In other words, in the conventional wet towel feeders for supplying a wet towel, since the wet towel is transported by means of a belt in the procedure of forming the shape of the wet towel (conveyer type and roller type are suggested as a method of transportation, to both of which a belt is applied), the shape of the wet towel is disturbed, so the wet towel is not formed in a plainly rolled shape.

[11] Also, in order to prevent the wet towel from being disturbed, the overall length of the transportation of the wet towel feeder can be lengthened, to thereby lead to further complication of the structure thereof. As the result, wet towels are jammed between transportation structures of the wet towel feeder, so that the wet towel feeder cannot be operated. Technical Solution

[12] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the conventional art, and the primary object of the present invention is to provide a new type of the wet towel feeder and a belt for the same which can simplify the transportation structure thereof and form a complete wet towel shape with stability by forming the wet towel shape within a relatively short transportation length thereof.

Advantageous Effects

[13] According to the wet towel feeder and the belt for the same of the present invention, the shape of the wet towel is not disturbed to thereby form a complete shape thereof even during the final procedure for the formation of the wet towel shape, since a fabric is transported with stability.

[14] Further, the wet towel feeder is constructed such that it is possible to have a

relatively simple configuration thereof, to thereby decrease its malfunction rate, since the fabric is transported in stability, which permits the length of the transportation to be relatively short. Brief Description of the Drawings

[15] FlG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the a towel feeder according to the present invention;

[16] FlG. 2 is a perspective view showing a belt for the wet towel feeder according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[17] FlGs. 3 through 4 are perspective views showing belts for the wet towel feeder according to the modified examples of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[18] FlG. 5 is a perspective view showing a belt for the wet towel feeder according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and

[19] FlG. 6 is a perspective view showing a wet towel feeder according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[20] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the appended drawings of FlGs. 2 through 6. The same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components through FlG. 1 to FlG. 6. Meanwhile, in the drawings, drawings and detailed description on technical features of the typical wet towel feeder (manufacture apparatus) will be omitted or simplified, since it is to be readily understood for those skilled in the art, and parts related to the present invention are illustrated in detail. Also, although the size and shape of assembly parts or connection parts in the drawings look a little bit different in comparison with them in other drawings, it is just difference of dimensions in their illustration. So such difference of dimensions cannot limit or modify the scope and sprit of the present invention.

[21] FlGs. 2 through 5 are perspective views showing the belt for the wet towel feeder according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[22] Referring to FlGs. 1 through 5, the belt 90 of the wet towel feeder according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is constructed by including a bead 96 specially designed.

[23] The belt 90 is configured such that it can be supported at both sides thereof by means of a driving roller 82 and a driven roller 84 of the unit for forming wet towel shape 80 and pivotably rotated so as to transport the fabric, the fabric being is formed to a predetermined shape by the unit for forming wet towel shape while being unrolled from the fabric accommodating unit 30, transported by the fabric guiding unit 40, and cut to a predetermined length by the fabric cutting unit 50.

[24] Further, the belt 90 has an upper side surface 92 thereof to be in contact with the fabric, and a lower side surface 94 thereof to be in contact with the driving roller 82 and the driven roller 82, both of which are driven so as to draw a closed curve, to thereby be coupled to the driving roller 82 and the driven roller 84.

[25] Here, The belt 90 includes the bead 96 having a highest point 97 which is continuously formed on the upper side surface 92 in the carrier direction of the fabric, and a lowest point 98 which is formed at the end of both sides formed to be extended from the highest point 104, in such a manner that both sides are positioned at more posterior side than the highest point 104.

[26] The belt 90 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention may be configured by either one belt or a plurality of belt (see FIG. 5). Further, the driving of the belt may be operated corresponding to the additional configuration {for example, a rolling plate 100 of the wet towel feeder 10 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which will be described below} applied based on the shape of the wet towel, which is intended to form. Accordingly, in the belt 90 according to the present invention, the driving and operation thereof are not limited by the other forms of additional technical constitution thereof. For example, in case of conventional belt where a fabric is formed into a wet towel in a rolled state while it is transported using a roller, the belt 90 according to the present invention may be constructed such that it is adhered at the outer periphery surface of the roller, which makes the fabric to be transported.

[27] Meanwhile, the bead 96 formed on the belt 90 can be changed into various shapes and used without departing from the scope of the present invention. The bead 90 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, for example, has a "V" shape thereof, however, it is also possible to have a "wave shape" or a "W" shape for use. That is, the belt 90 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed such that the shape thereof can be changed into various shapes, although it basically has the highest point 97 which is continuously formed on the upper side surface thereof in the carrier direction of the fabric, and a lowest point 98 which is formed at the end of both sides formed to be extended from the highest point 97, in such a manner that both sides are positioned at more posterior side than the highest point 97. Further, the bead 96 is basically formed to be protruded from the upper side surface 92 of the belt 90, however, it can also be formed to be engraved in intaglio thereon.

[28] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a wet towel feeder according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[29] Referring now to FIGs. 1 through 6, the wet towel feeder 10 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention may have a relatively simple configuration for

formation of the wet towel shape, to effectively utilize a small space therein, as well as decrease its malfunction rate due to the complicated structure therein, by applying the belt 90 thereto as described above.

[30] The wet towel feeder 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention described above comprises a fabric accommodating unit 30, a fabric guiding unit 40, a fabric cutting unit 50, a water spraying unit 60, a sterilization unit 70, a unit for forming wet towel shape 80. In this instance, a fabric 32 is rolled in a rolled state and accommodated in the fabric accommodating unit 30. The fabric guiding unit 40 comprises a first guiding roller 42, a guiding plate 44 and a second guiding roller 46, through which the fabric 32 of the fabric accommodating unit 30 is unrolled and transported. That is, the fabric 32 of the fabric accommodating unit 30 is unrolled and transported to the unit for forming wet towel shape 80, which has technical features according to the present invention, by means of the fabric guiding unit 40. The fabric cutting unit 50 comprises a fixed cutter blade 52 and a rotary cutter blade 54, by means of which the fabric 32 transported by the fabric guiding unit 40 is cut into a prescribed length and subsequently is transported to the unit for forming wet towel shape 80.

[31] In this instance, the wet towel feeder 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention features that a water spraying unit 60 and a sterilization unit 70 are installed at the front end of the unit for forming wet towel shape 80 in sequence. The wet towel feeder 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention having such construction as described above features that it is possible to supply a wet towel, in which the sterilizing effect sufficiently higher than a conventional wet towel can be obtained, by sterilizing the towel fabric after a fabric is cut at the fabric cutting unit 50 and subsequently transported to the unit for forming wet towel shape 80 and dampened with water. In other words, as to the wet towel feeder 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wet towel is formed finally into a product by performing the final sterilization treatment in the dampened fabric, such that the fabric dampened by water is sterilized before being formed into a desired shape different from the usual wet towel feeder in this case. In this instance, the water spraying unit 60 comprises a hot water spraying nozzle 62 and a cold water spraying nozzle 64, and through which the temperature of the wet towel can be adjusted according to the atmospheric temperature or seasons. In this case, the structure of the sterilization unit 70 can be simplified by employing an ultraviolet LED 72.

[32] Meanwhile, the unit for forming wet towel shape 80 is constructed such that the fabric 32, which is cut by the fabric cutting unit 50 and transported by the guiding unit 40, can be formed to a predetermined shape while being transported therethrough.

[33] The unit for forming wet towel shape 80 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention has a rolling plate 100 mounted between the driving roller 82,

and the driven roller 84, to both of which the belt 90 is coupled, to be positioned in the upper side of the belt 90. The rolling plate 100 described above is inclined toward the direction where the fabric 32 is transported, so that the transported fabric 32 is rolled up in a rolled state to form a roll type wet towel. The rolling plate 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is connected to the belt 90 applied to the unit for forming wet towel shape 80 described above, so that the length of the transportation can be relatively shortened. Of course, the wet towel feeder 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is not limited by the wet towel shape, which is finally formed. In other words, the wet towel is formed into various shapes thereof, if necessary. For example, in the wet towel feeder, which is generally used, the wet towel is finally formed into a rolled state, however, it may be formed into a foldable shape, or formed into a shape parallel to the lengthwise direction thereof without separately being rolled or folded, if necessary.

[34] Meanwhile, a water container 110 is mounted below the unit for forming wet towel shape 80, in which surplus water from the wet towel is accommodated and discharged to the outside. Also, a wet towel receiver 120 is mounted below the end of the unit for forming wet towel shape 80, in which the formed wet towel can be accommodated.

[35] While the wet towel feeder according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in connection with the detailed description and the drawings, it is merely an illustrative example of the present invention. Further, it will be well understood by the people in the field of the relevant art that the present invention can be changed and modified variously without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[36] According to the feature of the present invention so as to accomplish the above objects, there is provided a wet towel feeder and a belt for the same, in which the belt is supported at both sides thereof by means of a driving roller and a driven roller of the unit for forming wet towel shape and pivotably rotated so as to transport the fabric, the fabric being formed to a predetermined shape by the unit for forming wet towel shape while being unrolled from a fabric accommodating unit, transported by a fabric guiding unit, and cut to a predetermined length by the fabric cutting unit; wherein the belt has an upper side surface thereof to be in contact with the fabric, and a lower side surface thereof to be in contact with the driving roller and the driven roller, both of which are driven so as to draw a closed curve, to thereby be coupled to the driving roller and the driven roller; and wherein the belt includes a bead having a highest point which is continuously formed on the upper side surface thereof in the carrier direction of the fabric, and a lowest point which is formed at the end of both sides formed to be

extended from the highest point, in such a manner that both sides are positioned at more posterior side than the highest point.

[37] As for the belt for the wet towel feeder according to the present invention described above, the bead may be formed into the one shape selected among "V", "wave" and "W" shapes thereof, and may be protruded from the upper side surface of the belt.

[38] According to another aspect of the present invention so as to accomplish the above objects, there is provided a wet towel feeder, which is adapted to form a fabric into a wet towel, the device including; a fabric accommodating unit in which a fabric is rolled in a rolled state and accommodated; a fabric guiding unit through which the fabric of the fabric accommodating unit is unrolled and transported; a fabric cutting unit for cutting the fabric, which is transported by a predetermined length by the fabric guiding unit; and a unit for forming wet towel shape through which the fabric is formed to a predetermined shape while being transported by the fabric guiding unit, and cut to a predetermined length by the fabric cutting unit; wherein the unit for formin g wet towel shape comprises a belt supported at both sides thereof by means of a driving roller and a driven roller of the unit for forming wet towel shape and pivotably rotated so as to transport the fabric; wherein the belt has an upper side surface thereof to be in contact with the fabric, and a lower side surface thereof to be in contact with the driving roller and the driven roller, both of which are driven so as to draw a closed curve, to thereby be coupled to the driving roller and the driven roller; and wherein the belt includes a bead having a highest point which is continuously formed on the upper side surface thereof in the carrier direction of the fabric, and a lowest point which is formed at the end of both sides formed to be extended from the highest point, in such a manner that both sides are positioned at more posterior side than the highest point.

[39] The unit for forming wet towel shape according to the present invention described above further comprises a rolling plate, which is mounted between the driving roller, and the driven roller, to both of which the belt is coupled, to be positioned in the upper side of the belt, and is inclined toward the direction where the fabric is transported, so that the transported fabric is rolled up in a rolled state to form a roll type wet towel.

[40] In this instance, the wet towel feeder according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention features that a water spraying unit and a sterilization unit are installed at the front end of the unit for forming wet towel shape in sequence, so that the fabric, which is cut by the fabric cutting unit and transported to the unit for forming wet towel shape, is dampened with water, and then sterilized therethrough.

[41] FlG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the towel feeder according to the present invention.

[42] Referring to FlG. 1, the wet towel feeder 10 according to the present invention mainly comprises a fabric accommodating unit 30, a fabric guiding unit 40, a fabric

cutting unit 50, and a unit for forming wet towel shape 80. In this instance, a fabric is rolled in a rolled state and accommodated in the fabric accommodating unit 30. Further, the fabric of the fabric accommodating unit 30 is unrolled and transported through the fabric guiding unit 40. That is, the fabric of the fabric accommodating unit 30 is unrolled and transported to the unit for forming wet towel shape 80, which has technical features according to the present invention, by means of the fabric guiding unit 40. Further, the fabric, which is transported by the fabric guiding unit 40, is cut to a predetermined length by the fabric cutting unit 50, and the cut fabric is transported to the unit for forming wet towel shape 80.

[43] The fabric 32, which is cut by the fabric cutting unit 50 and transported by the guiding unit 40, is formed to a predetermined shape while being transported by means of the unit for forming wet towel shape 80.

[44] That is, the unit for forming wet towel shape 80 is featured that the fabric cut and transported is formed into a shape, which is convenient for use. Of course, in the wet towel feeder 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wet towel finally formed is not limited by the shape thereof. That is, the wet towel is formed into various shapes thereof, if necessary. For example, in the wet towel feeder, which is generally used, the wet towel is finally formed into a rolled state, however, it may be formed into a foldable shape, or formed into a shape parallel to the lengthwise direction thereof without separately being rolled or folded, if necessary.

[45] The wet towel feeder 10 according to the present invention features that it includes the unit for forming wet towel shape, which is specially designed. In particular, the wet towel feeder 10 according to the present invention is characterized in that it includes a belt having a structure, by means of which the cut fabric is most effectively transported. That is, in the wet towel feeder 10 according to the present invention, the unit for forming wet towel shape 80 comprises a belt 90, as shown in FIG. 2, supported at both sides thereof and pivotably rotated so as to transport the fabric by means of a driving roller and a driven roller thereof. Here, the belt has an upper side surface 92 thereof to be in contact with the fabric, and a lower side surface 94 thereof to be in contact with the driving roller and the driven roller, both of which are driven so as to draw a closed curve, to thereby be coupled to the driving roller and the driven roller. Further, the belt 90 includes a bead having a highest point 97 which is continuously formed on the upper side surface thereof in the carrier direction of the fabric, and a lowest point 98 which is formed at the end of both sides formed to be extended from the highest point 97, in such a manner that both sides are positioned at more posterior side than the highest point 97.

[46] According to the wet towel feeder and the belt for the same of the present invention, the shape of the wet towel is not disturbed to thereby form a complete shape thereof

even during the final procedure for the formation of the wet towel shape, since a fabric is transported stably. [47] Further, the wet towel feeder is constructed such that it is possible to have a relatively simple configuration thereof, to thereby decrease its malfunction rate, since the fabric is transported in stability, which permits the length of the transportation to be relatively short.

Industrial Applicability [48] According to the wet towel feeder and the belt for the same of the present invention, the shape of the wet towel is not disturbed to thereby form a complete shape thereof even during the final procedure for the formation of the wet towel shape, since a fabric is transported with stability. [49] Further, the wet towel feeder is constructed such that it is possible to have a relatively simple configuration thereof, to thereby decrease its malfunction rate, since the fabric is transported in stability, which permits the length of the transportation to be relatively short.